Louvered roof assembly

ABSTRACT

The invention comprises a roof assembly, comprised of a frame and a plurality of louvers rotatably mounted within the frame, each louver having a channel running along its longitudinal axis. The assembly may also include a gutter located at one end of the frame below the louvers and running perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the louvers. Also, the assembly further includes a mechanism for rotating the louvers from an open position to a closed position. The result is that liquid can flow along the channels in the louvers and into the gutter.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to a louvered roof assembly and in particular to a specific design of louver to be used in a louvered roof assembly.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] There are numerous applications where it is desirable to have a roof, such as a canopy or awning, which can be removed to expose the area beneath to sunshine and be put back in place to protect the area from rain. However, given the rapid weather transitions in many locales, traditional canopies and awnings, which require some time to set up, are not always the best available option.

[0003] One alternative is to have a permanent or semi-permanent roof structure that can be opened and closed as desired. While retractable canvas awnings and the like are often used, another method is to assemble the roof using a series of louvers that pivot between an open and a closed position.

[0004] A problem with using a louvered roof is ensuring that the roof does not allow water to leak through when closed while retaining the louver action for opening and closing. One attempt to address this problem is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,732,507 issued to Edwards. The louvers in Edwards have an up-turned lip along one edge and a down-turned lip on the other edge. When the louvers are closed, the up-turned lip on one louver overlaps the down-turned lip of an adjacent louver to produce a theoretically watertight seal. However, Edwards uses a rubber coating to create the seal between the lips, and the rubber can be subject to deterioration from sun and cold, reducing the effectiveness of the seal over time.

[0005] Also, while Edwards attempts to address one problem with louvered roof assemblies, that of making the louvers watertight when closed, a second problem remains. During heavy rains, water can accumulate on the roof and leak through the closed louvers, as the louvers do not provide any guttering effect to channel the water flow, either on the main structure or using the louvers themselves. Even worse, if the roof is flat, water can pool on the closed louvers, spilling into the roof-covered area when the louvers are opened.

[0006] Accordingly, there is a need for a louvered roof assembly that provides channels for water flow to prevent water leakage during heavy rainfall. Additionally, there is a need for a louvered roof assembly that can be flat and still allow water to flow off the louvers and the roof.

[0007] It is an object of this invention to provide a louvered roof assembly with channels for water to flow off the louvers. It is also an object of this invention to provide a roof assembly that allows water to flow off the louvers even when the roof is flat.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The invention comprises a roof assembly, comprised of a frame and a plurality of louvers rotatably mounted within the frame, each louver having a channel running along its longitudinal axis. The assembly may also include a gutter located at one end of the frame below the louvers and running perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the louvers. Also, the assembly further includes a mechanism for rotating the louvers from an open position to a closed position. The result is that rain can flow along the channels in the louvers and into the gutter.

[0009] The invention further comprises a louver for use in a roof assembly. The louver is comprised of a longitudinally extending channel proximate one elongated edge of the louver and a second elongated edge, positioned to extend over the channel of an adjacent louver.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The invention itself both as to organization and method of operation, as well as additional objects and advantages thereof, will become readily apparent from the following detailed description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings:

[0011]FIG. 1 is a top view of a roof assembly with the louvers in a fully open position;

[0012]FIG. 2 is a sectional view of an individual louver;

[0013]FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a pair of louvers in a closed position;

[0014]FIG. 4 is a top view of a roof assembly with the louvers in a fully closed position;

[0015]FIG. 5 is an end view of the roof assembly of FIG. 4;

[0016]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a roof assembly installed over a patio deck;

[0017]FIG. 7 is a sectional view of an individual louver with an inclined channel;

[0018]FIG. 8 is a sectional view of an alternative form of one half of an individual louver; and

[0019]FIG. 9 is a sectional view of two halves of FIG. 8 joined together to form a single louver.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the invention consists of a roof assembly 10, comprised of a number of louvers 12 that can be moved between an open and a closed position (see FIG. 3) and various intermediate positions by rotation about rods 24. At one end of the roof assembly 10 is a gutter 14 that runs along the length of roof assembly 10 below the louvers 12. The louvers 12 are connected to a mechanism 18 that allows the louvers to synchronously pivot between open and closed positions. The mechanism 18 can be controlled by any means suitable to the application of the roof assembly, ranging from a basic hand crank to a remote electronic switch used to operate an electromechanical actuator.

[0021] Each louver 12, as shown in FIG. 2, has flanges 20 and 22 along respective opposite longitudinal edges and a channel 16 to allow water to flow along the length of the louver 12. The louver 12 and channel 16 are preferably shaped so that the edge 28 of flange 22 defines a top edge of channel 16 when in the closed position. As a result, when water accumulates on the roof assembly 10, it flows along the louver channels 16 into the gutter 14, preventing water from leaking though the louvers 12.

[0022] Near an end of each louver 12 opposite the channels 16 and on the underside is a notch 26 which prevents water from flowing around edge 28 and up the underside of louver 12. Profile 29 on the underside of the louver 12 matches the curvature of rounded edge 28 forming a water-resistant seal when the two surfaces abut.

[0023] The opening 11 between the edge of the roof assembly 10 and the louvers 12 that allows water to flow into the gutter 14 is more clearly shown in FIG. 4. The water flow into the gutter 14 through the opening 11 also helps prevent water from interfering with the opening/closing mechanism 18. FIG. 5 shows the vertical positioning of gutter 14 relative to mechanism 18. A standard downspout (not shown) carries water in the gutter 14 to a drain (not shown).

[0024]FIG. 6 shows a roof assembly 10 installed over a patio deck attached to a house. The roof assembly 10 is inclined so the water can flow along the louvers 12 via the channels 16 and into the gutter 14 (not shown). A hand crank 30 located on one of the roof assembly supports 32 controls the opening and closing of the louvers 12.

[0025] While the roof assembly 10 shown in FIG. 6 is inclined such that water can flow freely along the louver channels 16, this inclined roof may not always be possible or desirable. Therefore, the louvers 12 can alternatively have the channels 16 shaped as shown in FIG. 7 so as to be inclined along the longitudinal axis to allow water to flow freely into the gutter 14 even if the roof assembly 10 is flat.

[0026] An alternative form of the louver 12 can be formed from two identical halves 38 as shown in FIG. 8. Each half 38 has a channel 16 with flange 22 defining the outer edge. Flange 22 has a profile 29 to allow water to flow off the top surface and inhibit water flow along the underside of the louver 12. The opposite end has joint pieces 40 and 42 for attachment to like joint pieces 40 and 42 of a second louver half 38. The joined halves 38 are shown forming a complete louver 12 in FIG. 9.

[0027] Accordingly, while this invention has been described with reference to illustrative embodiments, this description is not intended to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the illustrative embodiments, as well as other embodiments of the invention, will be apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to this description. It is therefore contemplated that the appended claims will cover any such modifications or embodiments as fall within the scope of the invention. 

We claim:
 1. A roof assembly, comprising: a) a frame; b) a plurality of louvers mounted for rotation in unison within said frame, each louver of said plurality of louvers having a longitudinally extending channel proximate one elongated edge of said each louver; and c) a second edge of each louver of said plurality of louvers positioned to extend over said one elongated edge of an adjacent louver to overlap said channel of said adjacent louver with an upper surface sloped to drain rain water into said channel of said adjacent louver, wherein when each louver of said plurality of louvers is in water-resistant contact with an adjacent one of said plurality of louvers.
 2. A roof assembly according to claim 1, further including a gutter located at one end of said plurality of louvers extending transversely to and below said plurality of louvers.
 3. A roof assembly according to claim 1, further including a mechanism for rotating said plurality of louvers from an open position to a closed position.
 4. A roof assembly according to claim 1, wherein said longitudinally extending channel is inclined in a longitudinal direction.
 5. A roof assembly according to claim 1, wherein said mechanism is a user-operated hand crank.
 6. A roof assembly according to claim 1, wherein said mechanism is remotely operated electromechanical actuator.
 7. A roof assembly according to claim 1, wherein said each louver has a convex upper surface.
 8. A louver for use in a roof assembly, comprising a longitudinally extending channel proximate one elongated edge of said louver and a second edge of said louver positioned to extend over an elongated edge of an adjacent louver to a channel of said adjacent louver, said louver having an upper surface sloped to drain rain water into said channel of said adjacent louver.
 9. A louver according to claim 8, wherein said longitudinally extending channel is inclined in a longitudinal direction.
 10. A louver according to claim 8, wherein said louver has a convex upper surface.
 11. A louver according to claim 8, wherein said louver is formed from two identical pieces, each identical piece being one half of a louver.
 12. A method of making a louver for use in a roof assembly, comprising the steps of: (a) making two identical pieces, each piece having a longitudinally extending channel proximate one elongated edge and an attachment means on an opposite elongated edge; and (b) joining said two identical pieces via said attachment means to form said louver, wherein said louver has a longitudinally extending channel proximate one elongated edge of said louver and a second edge of said louver positioned to extend over an elongated edge of an adjacent louver to a channel of said adjacent louver, said louver having an upper surface sloped to drain rain water into said channel of said adjacent louver. 